Thousands in New York protest IDF Gaza op

NEW YORK - Thousands of people took to the streets of New York City on Friday evening to protest Israel's offensive in the Gaza Strip and demand an end to the violence that has already killed 881Palestinians.

Israel began its offensive earlier this month, citing a surge in rocket attacks launched from Hamas militants in Gaza.

The Palestinian death toll in the Gaza Strip on Friday climbed to 844, many of them civilians. More were killed in fighting during the early hours of Saturday, bringing the figure to 881. Thirty-five Israeli soldiers and three civilians have also died.

On Friday, both sides agreed to a 12-hour humanitarian ceasefire which went into effect on Saturday morning.

In New York City, the crowd marched through the bustling evening streets of Midtown Manhattan chanting "Free, free Palestine!" and "1,2,3,4, stop the killing, stop the war!"

It was unclear who organized the protest, which drew demonstrators to the city from miles away.